The trial led by the University of Melbourne and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute now needs 760 babies for the next phase of the trial, before the cream is made available to the public.

“In the first phase we tested the safety of EpiCeram and no adverse reactions occurred. In our second phase, 80 babies were recruited, and our intervention showed a very promising reduction in the rate of not only eczema but also sensitization to food allergens, a marker of food allergy," Lowe said.

Professor Mimi Tang from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute said she was excited to be working on a preventative treatment for children.